Captivated by Lupins

Breathtaking carpets of pastel hues made an eye-catching view as we entered the MacKenzie district. Russell lupins lined road edges and many paddocks had large areas covered with this beautiful flower.

A warm breeze carried the sweet fragrance the lupins emanated. It was paradise.

The Russell lupins (Lupinus polyphyllus) are a perennial herb originally from North America. During November to January the Mackenzie district attracts flocks of tourists armed with cameras ready to capture the iconic high country flowers.

Back in 1949 David Scott helped his mother Connie Scott scattered lupin seeds along the roadside. Connie Scott of Godley Peaks Station purchased lupin seeds from a local stock agent with the intention of making the region more attractive.

The explosive seedpods allowed lupins to grow and spread quickly. Lupin seeds are long-lived and able to tolerate wind, poor soil, warm or cold temperatures and grazing.

Environmentalists and ecologists believe Russell lupins are an environmental weed as threatening as broom and gorse. Lupins can prevent native plants establishing and are known to alter the shape of riverbeds.

Not only do clumps of lupins cause sand and gravel build-ups resulting in erosion and flooding, they’re also responsible for the prevention of some river birds from nesting.

New Zealand river birds such as kaki, wrybill, black-billed gulls, back-fronted terns and banded dotterals nest in open riverbeds. The openness allows them to see predators such as cats, stoats, ferrets and hedgehogs.

Russell lupins provide protection and an environment to hide for such predators.

However, it’s not all doom and gloom. Merino farmers in the Mackenzie region have seen value in cultivating Russell lupins. AgResearch scientist David Scott believes lupins are an exciting pasture plant. Russell lupins are long lived and nutritious sheep feed that requires little fertilizer.

Lupins are high in protein, nitrogen, sulphur and alkaloids. This combination improves animal performance such as an increase in wool and body weight increases quickly. Plus they provide cover during lambing.

Although there are two sides to the MacKenzie lupins, I’ve loved being amongst them. 

It’s something I’ve wanted to see for a long, long time and they were definitely worth the wait.

Burkes Pass

Burkes pass is the gateway to the McKenzie country. Not far from lake Tekapo (only a 10 minute drive) is a small settlement in Burkes Pass known as 'Three Creeks'. 

It's a tiny, historic township with unique craft stores selling retro collectibles, antiques and craftware, classic vehicle memorabilia, a coffee shop in a retro caravan, outdoor furniture and so much more. It's definitely worth stopping there.

I remember these phones.

St Patrick's church in Burkes Pass was built in 1872 and is the oldest Union Church in Canterbury. It's still available to be hired out for weddings.

Further along the road towards Lake Tekapo is the Burkes Pass cemetery. Many pioneers have been laid to rest there along with Connie Scott, 'The Lupin lady'. 

In the 1950s, Connie Scott from Godley Peaks imported a sack of Russell Lupin seeds from the UK and spread them in the MacKenzie country to beautify the roadside. 

I found Connie's gravestone and placed a bunch of lupins I 'd picked for her. I gave her a silent thank you for creating such a stunning countryside for so many people to enjoy.

Driving back towards Lake Tekapo we spotted another historical site, 'Dog Kennel Corner'. 

The plaque on a small boulder acknowledges this as the area that boundary dogs were tied up in the early station days, before the high country was fenced. The sheep dogs would be tethered and kennelled there to keep sheep escaping from one station to the next.

I'll add a few more lupin photos so you can see the large areas they cover. It's beautiful driving through this area. Connie Scott will always be remembered for making the MacKenzie district so picturesque.

To finish today's tiki-tour we stopped at Lake Tekapo to give the dogs a swim. The water was warm, clear and inviting.

It was only a few minutes walk back to the rig - Bernie drove the ute back while I walked the dogs along the track.